BRUNEI-MUARA

BRUNEI secondary school pupils will be required to join a minimum of two co-curricular activities starting next year as the Co-Curriculum Education Department is revising its policy, which will be announced tentatively next year.

This was stated by Roslin Suhailee, Acting Assistant Director of Co-Curriculum Education Department under the Ministry of Education during the Co-Curriculum Excellence Awards Ceremony for the year 2013-2014 held by Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre (PTES) yesterday morning.

The Acting Assistant Director felt that pupils need to be proactive, creative and innovative so as to become the nation’s future leaders, with high quality education, knowledge, skill, competitiveness and good moral values.

Hence, by being involved in co-curricular activities, apart from academics, would develop pupils as responsible and pragmatic citizens.

“To instill and support the vision and mission of the Ministry of Education as well as to assist in realising the Brunei Vision 2035, the Department of Co-Curriculum Education will always focus to ensure that students’ involvement in the co-curricular activities will be implemented effectively,” he said.

“One of the action plans which has been initiated was the introduction of Implementation Policy of Co-Curriculum Activities in Primary, Secondary Schools and Institutions in Brunei Darussalam in 2007, whereby it requires all pupils in the country to take up a minimum one co-curricular activity from sports and physical activities; uniformed association; religious (activities); arts and culture; and clubs or associations.”

Roslin also announced that the department recently has revised the implementation policy of co-curricular activities in secondary schools for comprehensive development and continuous excellence.

“InsyaAllah, if all goes well next year, each student would be required to join (minimum) two co-curriculum activities; one compulsory activity in sports and physical activities; and the other is to be involved with an activity or club of the student’s preference based on four aspects — spiritual, intellectual, uniformed association and clubs or body,” he added.

“Every pupil’s participation in any of the co-curriculum activities will be assessed in accordance with the guidelines prepared. (We) hope that these changes will have more impact in ensuring pupils won’t be left behind in joining co-curriculum activities.”

The guest of honour also presented certificates of appreciation to existing school clubs as well as trophies to student representatives who have made the school proud after competing in a number of contests, locally and abroad.

Organised at the Multimedia Theatre of the school yesterday morning, the event started with the recital of Al-Quran followed by a welcoming address by the head of Co-Curricular Activities Unit as the event chairperson, Pg Zainul Asri Pg Hj Jamaludin.

He shared that it is the first time for PTES to organise such events, following the relocation of the school from Katok Sixth Form Centre early this year.

The event went on with Dikir Diba’ie and Dikir Syarafil Anam recitals, followed by cultural dance performances by the school’s Korean Culture Club, Malay Traditional Dance Club as well as Music Club.

Also present were school principal Hjh Rosni Hj Mohd Amin, lecturers, staff members and students of PTES.

The Brunei Times